One Life movie review

MOVIE TITLE: One Life

This remarkable biography is now playing in theaters.

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour 50 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A

IN A NUTSHELL:

The powerful film is based on the true story of Sir Nicholas Winton, who saved 669 children during WWII from 1938 to 1939. After he died, the newspapers announced his obituary and called him “The British Schindler.”

The film was directed by James Hawes. Writing credits go to Lucinda Coxon, Nick Drake, and Barbara Winton. The movie is based on the book “If It’s Not Impossible…:The Life of Sir Nicholas Winton” by Barbara Winton.

Already, the film has won “Best Narrative Feature” by the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

THINGS I LIKED:

They had me at Sir Anthony Hopkins. I’ve been such a fan of his for decades. He can do no wrong in my book and is an Academy Award winning actor.
The cast also includes 3 Oscar nominees: Helena Bonham Carter, Jonathan Pryce, and Lena Olin.
I also adore Helena Bonham Carter. As it turns out, her maternal grandfather also rescued many Jews from the Holocaust by forging Spanish visas!
In this film, Lena Olin disappears as a regular housewife in England. To see her as her more glamorous self, you’ll enjoy her performance in “Upgraded”, a rom-com I recently reviewed! Here’s the review: https://moviereviewmom.com/upgraded-movie-review/
I’ve seen Johnny Flynn more comical roles, so I was impressed with his portrayal of the young, dedicated Nicholas Winton.
The set designs, costumes, props, and even sound effects perfectly take you back in time to WWII.
We see lots of photos of the real children Sir Nicholas Winton saved during the war. We also get to see pictures of them as adults, surrounding their hero. They called themselves “Nicky’s Children.” He remained close to them until he died at age 106!
It was sad to learn that the USA did nothing to help the refugee children. The plight of international refugees is still great today.
I love the title, which comes from the quote “He who saves one life, saves the world.” – This was also quoted in the 1993 movie Schindler’s List. It’s reported to be from the Talmud.
We get to travel to Prague and England in the film. I’ve been all over England several times, but I’m finally going to Prague this summer and am so excited to see it! Everyone says it’s stunning!
You WILL cry while watching this film!! I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing at the 1 hour 36-minute mark when Nicholas sat in the studio audience of the 1970s BBC TV show called “That’s Life.”
The no-nonsense telling of this story is very British: quite modest, earnest, and humble, the same characteristics Sir Nicholas Winton possessed himself.
We get to see footage of the real Sir Nicholas Winton being knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
In a world that is currently spinning out of control, this is the kind of story we need more of. It was so heartwarming and inspiring, reminding us that one person can truly make a positive difference in the world. At the end of the movie, we learn that over 6,000 people in the world are alive today because of the saving efforts of Sir Nicholas Winton!

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Acts 1 & 2 focus on the woes of bureaucracy. Don’t get discouraged. Keep watching because Act 3 is a powerful payoff!
Anthony Hopkins appears in Acts 1 and 3; however, Act 2 flashes backward in time to tell the story of the younger man played by Johnny Flynn.
I also adore Jonathan Pryce, but he is only in one short scene.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Children will be extremely bored.
Some German, French, and Czech are spoken often without subtitles.
Talk of Nazis, torture, and concentration camps

THEMES:

The value of a single life
The importance of scrapbooks!
Regrets
Service to others and humanitarian work
Sacrifice for others
Teamwork
Humility
Jews and the Holocaust
WWII and Nazi aggression

FUNNY LINES:

None. This is a serious drama.

INTERESTING LINES:

“Please, Mickey. You have to let go.” – Grete Winton (Lena Olin)
“Ordinary people wouldn’t stand for this if they knew what was actually happening.” – Nicholas Winton (Johnny Flynn) “You’ve a lot of faith in ordinary people.” – Doreen Warriner (Romola Garai) “I do because I’m an ordinary person.” – Nicholas Winton (Johnny Flynn)